3032e battery drain

[JDLJr]

I have a 2013 3032e that has performed flawlessly since new (262 hrs.). A few weeks ago it would not start, I found a dead battery. I gave the battery a charge, the tractor started right up, no problem. A few days later I tried to restart the tractor, again a dead battery. I installed a new battery and the tractor started up, no problem. Again, I tried to start the tractor a few days later, dead battery. After a charge, it started right up. I put a multitester on the alternator, 13.5 volt output at idle. The tractor performs perfectly when running.
The lights have not been left on, the key is not left in the ignition, all wiring looks factory fresh, the fuel water separator is clean, the tractor has been serviced correctly.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Jim

 

[Kubota 2350]

What kind of draw are you getting from the battery with key in the off position?

 

[jgayman]

What kind of draw are you getting from the battery with key in the off position?

Agree. If you have access to a multimeter measure the actual current draw when the key is in the OFF position.

CAUTION!!! Do NOT try to start the tractor with the multimeter in the circuit.

 

[Coyote machine]

Also try putting a load on the battery, headlights, with tractor running, and see what the output is back to the battery? Put the meter on the battery posts, NOT the alternator. Make sure all battery and negative cable connection at frame/chassis are clean and tight. If easily and safely accessible, move the negative cable near the battery while taking battery voltage readings, and see if it fluctuates. Same on plus cable. Then rev it up a little and see what it outputs to the battery. Report back results....

 

[JDLJr]

Agree. If you have access to a multimeter measure the actual current draw when the key is in the OFF position.

CAUTION!!! Do NOT try to start the tractor with the multimeter in the circuit.

The multimeter connected between the positive battery post and the disconnected red battery cable, with the key on the off position reads 12.27 volts, the same as the battery.
Thanks...
Jim

 

[Kubota 2350]

The multimeter connected between the positive battery post and the disconnected red battery cable, with the key on the off position reads 12.27 volts, the same as the battery.
Thanks...
Jim

You need to make the juice run through the meter to see what the parasitic draw is.
Disconnect the + (pos) .and run the meter between the battery post and the cable.
With the key off.

 

[Coyote machine]

Others are assuming there is a parasitic draw on your battery. Before searching for something that may not be the problem, first do what I suggested. We need to know what the alternator/voltage regulator is outputting to the battery when the tractor is running and has a load like your high beam headlights drawing voltage.
So, back to square one to see if the alternator is functioning properly when the tractor is running. If its NOT giving you more voltage than the static charge of the aprox. 12.27 you read earlier - in the range of 13-14.24 volts you have an alternator issue. If it is giving you the range I mentioned then you could have a parasitic draw, possibly via a bad ground or hot cable to the battery, or another 'leak'.

 

[Kubota 2350]

Others are assuming there is a parasitic draw on your battery. Before searching for something that may not be the problem, first do what I suggested. We need to know what the alternator/voltage regulator is outputting to the battery when the tractor is running and has a load like your high beam headlights drawing voltage.
So, back to square one to see if the alternator is functioning properly when the tractor is running. If its NOT giving you more voltage than the static charge of the aprox. 12.27 you read earlier - in the range of 13-14.24 volts you have an alternator issue. If it is giving you the range I mentioned then you could have a parasitic draw, possibly via a bad ground or hot cable to the battery, or another 'leak'.

I'm going by his original post of the battery going dead while the tractor is sitting not being used.

 

[Coyote machine]

I am too, but I guess in my first quick read I thought he was not only starting his tractor, but running it too; seems he may have been only starting/stopping it to check charge. It's not completely clear from his first post, at least not to me, whether he's actually putting time on clock or just start, test charge at alternator, then shut off, come back sometime later and battery is dead? No criticism intended- just trying to get on same page with the OP and start at actual output to battery from alternator, not AT it.

 

[Kubota 2350]

I am too, but I guess in my first quick read I thought he was not only starting his tractor, but running it too; seems he may have been only starting/stopping it to check charge. It's not completely clear from his first post, at least not to me, whether he's actually putting time on clock or just start, test charge at alternator, then shut off, come back sometime later and battery is dead? No criticism intended- just trying to get on same page with the OP and start at actual output to battery from alternator, not AT it.

:thumbsup: